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Blackbird Mine

Past Producer in Lemhi county in Idaho, United States with commodities Cobalt, Copper, Gold, Silver, Bismuth, Nickel, Selenium, Sulfur
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Public Land Survey System information
  6. Commodities
  7. Materials information
  8. Alteration
  9. Mineral occurrence model information
  10. Host and associated rocks
  11. Nearby scientific data
  12. Geologic structures
  13. Ore body information
  14. Controls for ore emplacement
  15. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  16. Mining district
  17. Mineral rights holdings
  18. Land status
  19. Ownership information
  20. Production statistics
  21. Reserves and resources
  22. Workings at the site
  23. Links to other databases
  24. Bibliographic references
  25. General comments
  26. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10144621
MRDS ID M060825
MAS/MILS ID 0160590012
Record type Site
Current site name Blackbird Mine
Alternate or previous names Idaho, Katherine, Anaconda, Sunshine, Dewey, Copper Queen, Hawkeye, St. Joe, Bohannon, Patty B, Ludwig, Tinkers Pride, Chelan No 15, Horseshoe-Old Gold
Included sites Brown Bear, Uncle Sam, Calera Mine, Dandy, Chicago, Howe Sound Adit, Blacktail

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -114.3418, 45.11692 (WGS84)
Elevation 2100
Location accuracy 100(meters)
Relative position Used portal of Uncle Sam, which is the 6850 haulage level opening for the Blackbird Mine. 5 1/2 MILES NW OF BLACKBIRD, IDAHO

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Lemhi(county)

Idaho(state)

United States(country)

North America(continent)

Land(continent)

USGS map quadrangles

Blackbird Creek(quadrangle 1:24,000 scale)

Bighorn Crags(quadrangle 1:100,000 scale)

Elk City(quadrangle 1:250,000 scale)

Hydrologic units (watersheds)

Middle Salmon-Panther(hydrologic unit)

Salmon(hydrologic accounting unit)

Lower Snake(hydrologic subregion)

Pacific Northwest(hydrologic region)

Federal lands

Salmon-Challis National Forest(National Forest)

National Forest FS(Type of land area)

FS(Federal land areas administered by FS)

Geographic areas

Country State County
United States Idaho Lemhi

Public Land Survey System information

Meridian Township Range Section Fraction State
Boise 021 N 018 E 28 SE Idaho

Comments on the location information

  • ON BLACKBIRD CREEK ABOUT 6 MILES UPSTREAM FROM ITS MOUTH

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Cobalt Critical Primary
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Silver Secondary
Bismuth Critical Tertiary
Nickel Critical Tertiary
Selenium Tertiary
Sulfur Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcocite Ore
Chalcopyrite Ore
Cobaltite Ore
Copper Ore
Covellite Ore
Cuprite Ore
Electrum Ore
Enargite Ore
Erythrite Ore
Galena Ore
Gold Ore
Heterogenite Ore
Malachite Ore
Safflorite Ore
Silver Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Azurite Ore
Ankerite Gangue
Apatite Gangue
Biotite Gangue
Bismuth Gangue
Calcite Gangue
Goethite Gangue
Hematite Gangue
Hornblende Gangue
Jarosite Gangue
Limonite Gangue
Magnetite Gangue
Nontronite Gangue
Pyrite Gangue
Pyrrhotite Gangue
Quartz Gangue
Siderite Gangue
Vivianite Gangue
Muscovite Gangue
Tourmaline Gangue
Arsenopyrite Unknown

Alteration

  • (Local) Silicification
  • (Local) Tourmalinization

Analytical data

Result 2.7% CU, 1.10% CO, 0.02 OZ/TON AU, 0.6 OZ/TON AG
Result CO TO CU RATIO:\nIN BLACKTAIL ZONE IS 1:2.13\nIN DANDY ZONE RATIO IS 1:6\nIN IDAHO ZONE RATIO IS 1:5\nIN HORSESHOE-OLD GOLD RATIO IS 1:0.7

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 102
USGS model code 24d
Deposit model name Blackbird Co-Cu

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Idaho Batholith
  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Plutonic Rock > Granitoid > Quartz Monzonite
    Rock type qualifier Porphyritic
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type
    Rock unit name Belt Supergroup
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Schist
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Metasedimentary Rock > Quartzite

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -114.3418, 45.11692
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Local
Structure name NW Trending Shear Zones
Type of structure Local
Structure name Reverse Faults
Type of structure Local
Structure name Anticline
Type of structure Local
Structure name Secondary Schistosity
Type of structure Local
Structure name Gouge
Type of structure Local
Structure name Brecciation
Type of structure Local
Structure name Slickensides

Ore body information

  • General form TABULAR , IRREGULAR, LENS, PIPE-LIKE
    Strike N60W
    Dip 52E
    Plunge 40 DEG N
    Thickness 7.62M
    Length 3400M
    Width 300M
    Area 182HA
    Depth to top 12M
    Depth to bottom 137M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 DISSEMINATED
    Shape of Orebody #1 IRREGULAR
    Type of Orebody #2 SHEAR ZONE
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control FRACTURING
    Secondary Ore Control FAULTING
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. UNKNOWN
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 ADV ARGILLIC
    Strike And Dip N60W:52E
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 6
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Total Surface Area (HA) 182
    Date of Last Modification 830316

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Fracturing
  • Faulting

Comments on the geologic information

  • GABBRO DIKE IS 60 FT. WIDE; BELT SUPERGROUP TRENDS WNW AND DIPS STEEPLY NE; SCHISTOSITY TRENDS N 20 DEG E, DIPS 60-85 DEG NW; MINERALIZATION STRONGEST AMONG FOLD CRESTS AND NOSES OF FOLDS; HYDROTHERMAL REPLACEMENT DEPOSITS OF COPPER-COBALT MINERALS OCCUR ALONG THREE PRINCIPAL SETS OF SHEAR ZONES STRIKING NW, N AND NE

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface-Underground
Development status Past Producer
Commodity type Both
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1893
Mining method Filled Stopes - Horiz Cut and Fill W/Tailings
Year of first production 1915
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Blackbird Mining District

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Patented

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Noranda Mining And Exploration Inc.
    Interest 100
    Home office Colorado
    Year 1996
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Noranda Exploration, Inc.
    Interest 88
    Home office Colorado
    Year 1984
  • Type Owner
    Owner Idaho Mining Co. (Subsidiary Of Hanna Min. Co.)
    Interest 12
    Home office Idaho
    Year 1984

Production statistics

  • Year 1941
    Period 1939-1941
    Material Uncle Sam Mining and Milling Company shipped 563 short tons of ore and concentrate (16.81% Cu, .665 oz Au, 0.51 oz Ag, 1.7% Co) to a smelter. No payment made for cobalt.
    Ore mined 3222mt
    Description Copper Recovered (1939-1941) From Concentrates (Usmc) 80858 Kilograms
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Secondary metal Silver Silver 8334g
    Primary metal Copper Copper 80.86mt
    Secondary metal Gold Gold 10035g
  • Year 1951
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 20110mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min. Co.) 25415 Kilograms
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 25.42mt
    Secondary Silver Silver 5500g
    Primary Copper Copper 136.06mt
    Secondary Gold Gold 2948g
  • Year 1952
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 90615mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Conentrates (Calera Min Co.) 55000 Grams
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 354.11mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 65034g
    Primary Copper Copper 1129.99mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Gold Gold 19816g
  • Year 1953
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 58677mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 273620 Kilograms
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 273.62mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 70675g
    Primary Copper Copper 781.55mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Gold Gold 17633g
  • Year 1954
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 146392mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 694469 Kilograms
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 694.47mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 128905g
    Primary Copper Copper 1877.7mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Gold Gold 40171g
  • Year 1955
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 161050mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 792399 Kilograms
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 2497.75mt 2wt-pct
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 792.39mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 135738g
    Secondary Gold Gold 56075g
  • Year 1956
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 248300mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 1067 Metric Tons
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 3112.78mt 1wt-pct
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 1068.28mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 171968g
    Secondary Gold Gold 68379g
  • Year 1957
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 243635mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 1216 Metric Tons
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 3355.44mt 2wt-pct
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 1215.94mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 236038g
    Secondary Gold Gold 104411g
  • Year 1958
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 268392mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 1388 Metric Tons
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 5345.25mt 2wt-pct
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 1388.95mt 1wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 470205g
    Secondary Gold Gold 269491g
  • Year 1959
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 343432mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) 476209 Kilograms
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 4655.76mt 2wt-pct
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 476.21mt 0wt-pct
    Secondary Silver Silver 251630g
    Secondary Gold Gold 146709g
  • Year 1959
    Period 1957-1959
    Material Isabell Construction Company open pit (probably from Blacktail open pit). However, DMEA records for the period 2/1/1955-October 1958 only list 207,077 short tons at 0.816% Co and2.827% Cu. This includ
    Ore mined 709060mt
    Description Ore Shipped(Isabell Const. Co) 1957-1959 709060 Metric Tons, 0.42% Co, 1.61% Cu
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 2wt-pct
    Major Cobalt Cobalt 0wt-pct
  • Year 1960
    Material Calera Mining Company production
    Ore mined 67065mt
    Description Cobalt Recovered From Concentrates (Calera Min Co.) No Cobalt Reported
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 1271.87mt
    Secondary Silver Silver 121364g
    Secondary Gold Gold 15025g
  • Year 1966
    Period 1963-1966
    Material Machinery Center, Inc.
    Ore mined 130780mt
    Description Ore Shipped(Machinery Center,Inc)1963-66 130780 Metric Tons,0.60% Co, 2.68% Cu
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 3wt-pct
    Major Cobalt Cobalt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1967
    Material Idaho Mining Company
    Ore mined 55163mt
    Description Ore Shipped (Idaho Min. Co) 55163 Metric Tons
  • Year 1968
    Material Idaho Mining Company
    Ore mined 28209mt
    Description Ore Shipped (Idaho Min Co) 28209 Metric Tons
  • Year 1968
    Period 1939-1968
    Material Uncle Sam Mining and Milling company, Calera Mining Company, Isabell construction Company, Machinery Center Inc. and Idaho Mining Company data combined
    Ore mined 2574000mt
    Description Total Ore Shipped-1939-1968 2574000 Metric Tons
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Primary Copper Copper 24245mt
    Primary Cobalt Cobalt 6289.39mt
    Secondary Silver Silver 1665392g
    Secondary Gold Gold 750694g

Comments on the production information

  • IN 1981-82 SURFACE FACILITES (MINE & MILL) WERE REFURBISHED AND A WATER TREATMENT PLANT, WAS CONSTRUCTED. AN EXPLORATION ADIT WAS DRIVEN NORTHWESTWARD TO THE SUNSHINE BLOCK IN 1981-82; IT IS NOT KNOWN IF ANY ADDITIONAL RESERVES WERE DELINEATED. THE MINE AND MILL OPERATED BETWEEN FEB AND NOV 1981 AT THE RATE OF 27.2 T/D TO SUPPLY CONCENTRATES FOR THE METALLURGICAL PILOT PROGRAM. ALL MINE EQUIPMENT SOLD TO CLAYTON SILVER INC. IN 1981-82.
  • Production reported here is from U.S. Bureau of Mines records. The data was incomplete. There is amount of ore shipped for all years from 1939-1968. Production was intermittent during this period with no production during WWII and later (1941-1950). Percent cobalt and copper was reported for many, but not all years. Metal recovered from the concentrate was not reported after 1960 and grades were not reported for 1939-1941, 1960, and 1967-8. The some of the reported recovered cobalt is low 25-35%, but most is from 62-75%. Some of the recovered copper is values are suspicious with many recovery percentages in the 90's (as high as 96%).

    Calculation of totals using mill grade x tonnage ore shipped gives 13,733.806 Mt Co and 42,585.522 Mt Cu. Only recovered copper is used for 1939-41 and 1969. No cobalt is reported for 1939-1941, 1960, 1967-68.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1979
    Measured 1082000mt ore
    Demonstrated 1082000mt ore
    Total resources 1082000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Cobalt Co 0.68 wt-pct Cobalt Major 1979
    Copper Cu 1.05 wt-pct Copper Major 1979
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1979
    Indicated 1754000mt ore
    Demonstrated 1754000mt ore
    Total resources 1754000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Cobalt Co 0.65 wt-pct Cobalt Major 1979
    Copper Cu 1.27 wt-pct Copper Major 1979
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1979
    Inferred 598000mt ore
    Total resources 2475000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Cobalt Co 0.55 wt-pct Cobalt Major 1979
    Copper Cu 1.82 wt-pct Copper Major 1979
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Total resources 6350000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Cobalt Co 0.74 wt-pct Cobalt Major 1993
    Gold Au 0.51 g/mt Gold Minor 1993
    Copper Cu 1.4 wt-pct Copper Major 1993

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • UNDERGROUND RESERVES (HANNA MIN. CO. 1975) HANNA MIN. CO., 1975 OPEN PIT RESERVES (HANNA MIN. CO., 1975) OPEN PIT AND UNDERGROUND RESERVES (HANNA MIN. CO., 1975)

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Length 7500M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method HORIZ CUT & FILL W/TAILINGS 10-60
    Swell Factor .35
    Percent Waste Rock 10
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK FISSURED WITH MODERATE WATER
    Rock Characteristics ONE SYSTEM OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING
    Mine Support Chars. TIMBER
    Length of Inclines (m) 150
    Slope of Inclines 40
    Number of Inclines 2
    Avg. Length of Adits (m) 1800
    Number of Adits 4
    1st Condition of Workings FLOODED
    2nd Condition of Workings SEALED
    3rd Condition of Workings NO MINE ENTRY
    Capacity 907
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 32.34
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 260
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1978
  • Type of workings Surface
    Length 23291M

Comments on the workings information

  • THE MAIN HAULAGE WAY (6850 LEVEL) IS SEALED TO PREVENT ACIDIC AND METAL LADEN MINE EFFLUENT FROM ENTERING SURFACE WATERS. THE WORKINGS BELOW THE 6850 LEVEL ARE FLOODED.
  • DEVELOPED BY 13 TUNNELS, THE PRINCIPAL ORE IS 7,820 FT. LONG. DEVELOPMENT CONSISTS OF 50,704 FT. TUNNELS, CROSSCUTS, AND DRIFTS; 24, 862 FT. RAISES, 1,180 FT. SHAFTS.

Comments on development

  • 33 PATENTED AND LARGE NUMBER UNPATENTED CLAIMS; 75-TON DIESEL POWERED FLOTATION CONCENTRATOR ; ECON.COM: HIGH TRANSPORTATION COST MADE ALL OPERATIONS MARGINAL (PRIOR TO 1939); CO EXTRACTION PROBLEMS (PRESENT)

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    Baldwin, J.A. Water Resource Problems Related To Mining In The Blackbird Mining District, Idaho. Univ. Ida. (Moscow)

  • Deposit

    Agreement 12-11-204-11 U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Forest Service 1978, 232 Pp.

  • Deposit

    Buchta, T.(Mineral Specialist, Cobalt Ranger Dist.) Pers. Comm. In Silverman, A., Strategic And Critical Mineral Position Of The United States With Respect To Chromium, Nickel, Cobalt, Managanese And Platinum. Draft Final Report, 1983, (In Press).

  • Deposit

    Canney, F.C., 1953, Preliminary Report Of Geochemical Investigations In The Blackbird District, Lemhi County, Idaho: USGS Open-File Rept.

  • Deposit

    Farmer, E.E. Revegetation Of Acid Mining Wastes In Central Idaho. U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Forest Service Research Paper Int. 178, 1976, 17 P.

  • Deposit

    Platts, W.S., S.B. Martin, And E.R.J. Primbs. Water Quality In An Idaho Stream Degraded B Acid Mine Waters.

  • Deposit

    U.S.D.A General Technical Report Int-67, 1979 In Silverman A., Strategic And Critical Mineral Position Of The United States With Respect To Chromium, Nickel, Cobalt, Maganese, And Platinum. Draft Final Report, 1983, (In Press).

  • Production

    Coleman, R.L. And K.V. Konigsmann. Blackbird Project Metallurgical Treatment. Noranda Mines, Ltd,. Unpub. Report, 1978, 10 Pp.

  • Production

    Blackbird Mill Tailings. Memorandum To R. N. Appling, Jr.,

  • Production

    Schack, C.H., Evaluation Of Proposal By Machinery Center, Inc., To Increase Copper Production From The Blackbird Mine,Lemhi County, Idaho. Part Ii In Metall. Processing Bumines, Salt Lake City, Utah, Confidential Rept, June, 1966

  • Reserve-Resource

    Bennett, E.H., Reconnaissance Geology And Geochemistry Of The Blackbird Mountain-Panther Creek Region. Lemhi County, Idaho. Idaho Bumines And Geol. Pamp. No. 167.

  • Deposit

    Anderson, A.L., 1943, A Preliminary Report On The Cobalt Deposits In The Blackbird District, Lemhi County, Idaho: Idaho Bureau Of Mines And Geology Pamphlet 61, 34 P.

  • Deposit

    Bilbrey, J.H., 1962, Ic 1803, P.140

  • Deposit

    Climatic Summary Of U.S.1964 Sup.1951-1960, Wash.D.C.

  • Deposit

    Hawkes, H.E. 1952, Gsa Bulletin Vol. 63. P.1260

  • Deposit

    Materials Survey Series Ms-5 Bumines And USGS Feb.1952

  • Deposit

    Mcdivitt, James F. 1956 Ida. Bur.Mines And Geol. Pamphlet 111. Pp 3

  • Deposit

    1944 Direxpl Howe Sound Mining Co., USBM Rept. Inv. 4012

  • Deposit

    Ri No. 4172

  • Deposit

    Ri No. 4279

  • Deposit

    USBM Ri No. 4012 February 1947

  • Deposit

    Western Field Operation Center Bumines Mineral Prop.File N

  • Deposit

    War Minerals Report 78

  • Deposit

    War Minerals Report 131

  • Deposit

    Pamp. No. 111, 1956, Pp. 31-36.

  • Deposit

    Mcwilliams, J.R. Hydraulic Emplacement Of Stope Fill As Practiced At The Blackbird Mine, Cobalt, Idaho. Memo. To Wing G. Agnew, Chief, Spokane Field Office, Region I, 1956.

  • Deposit

    Noranda Exploration, Inc., Personal Comm. And Unpub. Repts, 1978 In Pierce, P.A. Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. Bumines Property Eval. File Rept (Cobalt), Unpub. (Confidential), 1979, 51 Pp.

  • Deposit

    Trexler, B.D., Jr., 1974, Unpublished Blackbird Report

  • Deposit

    Pierce, P.A. Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho, Bumines Property Eval. File Rept (Cobalt), Unpub.

  • Deposit

    Pierce, R. V. Application For Copper Subsidy, Machinery Center, Inc., Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. May 1966, 16pp

  • Deposit

    Reed, G.C., And Herdlick, J.A., 1947, Blackbird Cobalt Deposits, Lemhi County, Idaho: USBM Rept. Inv. 4012, P.5, Figs. 4-26, 14 Pp

  • Deposit

    Ridge, J.D. Ore Deposits Of The United States 1933-1967, Aime, New York, V. 11, 1968, P. 1369.

  • Deposit

    Rule, A.R. Summary Report Of Beneficiation Study On Blackbird Mill Tailings. Memo. To R.N. Appling, Jr., Chief, WFOC, 1975.

  • Deposit

    Schack, C.H., Evaluation Of Proposal By Machinery Center Inc., To Increase Copper Production From The Blackbird Mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. Part Ii In Metall. Processing. Bumines, Salt Lake City, Utah, Confidential Ept, June, 1966.

  • Deposit

    Scheuring, J. (General Superintendent, Blackbird Mine), 1982, Pers. Comm.: Interview, Septermber 24, 1982. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1980.

  • Deposit

    Shelton, F.K., J.C. Stahl, And R.E. Churchward. Electro-Winning Of Cobalt From Cobaltite Concentrates. Bumines Ri 4172, 1948, Pp. 1-2, 90-98.

  • Deposit

    Silverman, A., Strategic And Critical Mineral Position Of The United States With Respect To Chromium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, And Platinum. Draft Final Report, 1983, (In Press).

  • Deposit

    Umpleby, J.B. Geology And Ore Deposits Of Lemhi County, Idaho. U.S. Geol. Surv. Bulletin 528, 1913, Pp. 71-73, 159-165.

  • Deposit

    Vhay, J.S. Cobalt-Copper Deposits Of The Blackbid Mining District, Lemhi County, Idaho. U.S. Geol. Surv. Strategic Min. Inves., Prelim. Rept. 3-219, 1958, 24 P.

  • Deposit

    Walker. D.D., H.B. Nickelson, And D.C. Alvord, Final Rept, Blackbird Mine. Dmea-3143, 1958, 24 Pp.

  • Deposit

    Wallace, R. U.S.F.S Boise, Idaho, Pers, Comm. May 9, 1984 With R.G. Raney, WFOC.

  • Deposit

    Wells, H.R. Concentration Of Copper-Cobalt Ores From The Blackbird District, Lemhi County, Idaho. Bumines Ri 4279, 1948, 21 Pp.

  • Deposit

    West, B. Noranda Exploration, Denver, Co. Pers Comm. May 9, 1984 With R.G. Raney, WFOC.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
General The Blackbird Mine includes several related mineralized zones mined by different companies over the years. Many of them have been connected by tunnels originating on adjoining claims. Records of several individual zones (e.g. Chicago, Uncle Sam, Idaho) have been consolidated in this record.
Deposit COMMENTS BETWEEN ASTERISKS RELATE TO 1984 UPDATE. * MINE AND MILL IN "CARE AND MAINTENANCE MODE" (NORANDA, MAY 9, 1984) FINAL E.I.S. APPROVED BY FOREST SERVICE IN 1982. NORANDA OPTED NOT TO PUT PROPERTY IN PRODUCTION DUE TO DEPRESSED COBALT MARKET. THE E.I.S. APPROVAL WAS FOR 272 T/D OPERATION TO SUPPLY CONCENTRATES FOR METALLURGICAL TESTING. PLANS CALLED FOR EVENTUAL EXPANSION TO 907-1088 T/D. HIGH ARSENIC VALVES OF HE BLACKBIRD CONCENTRATES WILL REQUIRE CONSTRUCTION OF A REFINERY IN PROXIMITY TO THE MINE TO CIRCUMVENT HIGH TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO JAPAN, FRANCE OR BELGIUM. CERCLA (SUPERFUND) SITE PROPOSED FOR LISTING ON NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL), MAY 10, 1993. ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS INCLUDE (1) ACID MINE DRAINAGE CONTAMINATED WITH HEAVY METALS, AND (2) MINE DUMPS AND MILL TAILINGS CONTAINING HEAVY METALS. DOI/USBM ALLEGED TO BE A PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBLE PARTY (PRP). DMEA (3143) (5020) OME (6285) (6286)
Deposit BLACKTAIL ZONE IS 1200 FT LONG, AVE 10-35 FT WIDE; DANDY ZONE TRENDS N 10 DEG E, DIPS 80 DEG W, AVE 10-15 FT WIDE, AND IS 500 FT LONG; IDAHO ZONE TRENDS N 30 DEG W AND DIPS 75 DEG NE TO VERTICAL; HORSESHOE ZONE TRENDS N 27 DEG W, DIPS 54 DEG NE, AND IS 1200 FT LONG

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 02-JAN-97 Buckingham, David A. U.S. Bureau of Mines
Reporter 01-DEC-73 Puffett, Willard P. U.S. Geological Survey
Reporter 01-DEC-74 Fisher, Fred S. U.S. Geological Survey
Updater 07-DEC-09 Causey, J. Douglas U.S. Geological Survey Consolidated records.

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

External references

Maps centered on this site